Journey Through the Torngat Mountains

The name alone evokes a sense of mystery. Tucked into one of the most remote parts of Canada lies one of the last frontiers for landscape photographers and explorers alike: the Torngat Mountains. The area is an incredibly wild mix that fires up the imagination: Norway-like fjords, glacier remnants (and the associated turquoise lakes), a healthy polar bear population, jagged icebergs freshly arrived from Greenland, aurora-filled skies, cultural treasures, archeological gems, rich marine life, and some of the highest, most rugged peaks in all of Eastern Canada.

“Forgotten World” Of all the images I have posted from the Torngat Mountains National Park, this aerial view of the Southwest Arm is probably the one that is most representative of what the place is like. Part Norway, part Canadian Rockies, part Nunavut, yet unlike anywhere else I have gone before. Photo by Paul Zizka Photography.

Best of all, all that incredible wilderness is now protected through the national parks system, and it is accessible to the adventurous-minded via the recently-established Torngats Base Camp.

Back in August 2016, I had the incredible fortune to spend a week in the area. It is truly amazing to be able to be among the first to document all that beauty with the camera. Not only that, but being able to do so in great comfort (especially given the remoteness). The facilities were top-notch, the local staff were most helpful and access to the landscape via zodiacs was as exciting as convenient.

The Torngats are truly a place you have to see for yourself. No words can do the place justice. It’s like a modern-day Shangri-la, an overwhelming paradise for landscape and wildlife photographers. Even images don’t get close to depicting what the Torngats are like, here’s my attempt through my favourite images from the week (see below).

“Labrador Magic” The incredible, raging Nakvak Falls, deep in Torngat Mountains National Park. This gem is reached either by flying or walking a looong way. I cheated for this one. There was only enough time for a few quick, safe shots, and off we went again! Thanks to pilot Steve for an incredible morning up high! Photo by Paul Zizka.

I am very excited to live that “once-in-a-lifetime” experience again next summer, as I will be returning to the area, this time with fellow photographer Dave Brosha and a few other photo enthusiasts. I could not think of a more exciting environment for an OFFBEAT workshop. The workshop is sold out, but if you join our waitlist we may have enough people to fill another zodiac! Details here.

I can’t wait to see the look on everyone’s faces when we sail into the secluded cove on Day One, realizing it’ll be our home for the next while.

Thanks for looking!

Paul

Click on any image to start the slideshow:

The Goose Bay area has great photos ops on the way up to the Torngats! Photo by Paul Zizka Photography.

The Goose Bay area has great photos ops on the way up to the Torngats! Photo by Paul Zizka Photography.

Even the local Parks staff never tire of the magic of the Torngats! Unnamed waterfall near North Arm, Torngat Mountains National Park, Labrador. Photo by Paul Zizka Photography.

A moment of bliss in the Torngats, sitting at the front of the boat, gazing out at the symmetry and the deep blue waters around us, and wondering what will lie around the next corner. Photo by Paul Zizka Photography.

A moment of bliss in the Torngats, sitting at the front of the boat, gazing out at the symmetry and the deep blue waters around us, and wondering what will lie around the next corner. Photo by Paul Zizka Photography.

Welcome to the Torngats! Photo by Paul Zizka Photography.

Drying fish at Base Camp. Photo by Paul Zizka Photography.

The Goose Bay area has great photos ops on the way up to the Torngats! Photo by Paul Zizka Photography.

“Northern Ramparts” The placid waters of the iconic Southwest Arm reflect an oil painting-like rendition of the cliffs towering above. The colourful wall rises nearly 1,000 metres above the fjord. It looks so much more impressive in person. 🙂 Photo by Paul Zizka Photography.

“Northern Ramparts” The placid waters of the iconic Southwest Arm reflect an oil painting-like rendition of the cliffs towering above. The colourful wall rises nearly 1,000 metres above the fjord. It looks so much more impressive in person. 🙂 Photo by Paul Zizka Photography.

“Northern Ramparts” The placid waters of the iconic Southwest Arm reflect an oil painting-like rendition of the cliffs towering above. The colourful wall rises nearly 1,000 metres above the fjord. It looks so much more impressive in person. 🙂 Photo by Paul Zizka Photography.

Drifter… An underwater look at the fjords of Torngat Mountains National Park, complete with jellyfish. Photo by Paul Zizka Photography.

“Crayola Point” That is how we started referring to that 15 foot high lichen-covered spire. A bluebird day at that location really brings out the entire array of colours one finds in the Torngat Mountains. Photo by Paul Zizka Photography.

Icebergs along the coast of the Torngats, Labrador. Photo by Paul Zizka Photography.

“Aurora Harbour” 3 AM in the Torngats. Aurora, noctilucent clouds and the first light of dawn paint an incredible scene in the Labrador sky. Torngat Mountains National Park. Photo by Paul Zizka Photography.

Morning at St. John’s Harbour, right next to Base Camp. Photo by Paul Zizka Photography.

Iceberg off the coast of the Torngat Mountains National Park, Labrador. Photo by Paul Zizka Photography.

Icebergs along the coast of the Torngat Mountains National Park, Labrador. Photo by Paul Zizka Photography.

Dykes among some of the world’s oldest rocks. Torngat Mountains National Park, Labrador. Photo by Paul Zizka Photography.

Little Ramah Bay as seen from the air. Photo by Paul Zizka Photography.

Windex Lake as seen from the air. Photo by Paul Zizka Photography.

Ramah Bay as seen from the air. Photo by Paul Zizka Photography.

Rugged coastline of the Torngats as seen from the air. Photo by Paul Zizka Photography.

Rugged coastline of the Torngats as seen from the air. Photo by Paul Zizka Photography.

Last glaciers/glacial lakes in eastern North America (outside of the Arctic), Torngat Mountains National Park. Photo by Paul Zizka Photography.

Last glaciers/glacial lakes in eastern North America (outside of the Arctic), Torngat Mountains National Park. Photo by Paul Zizka Photography.

Last glaciers/glacial lakes in eastern North America (outside of the Arctic), Torngat Mountains National Park. Photo by Paul Zizka Photography.

“Labrador Magic” The incredible, raging Nakvak Falls, deep in Torngat Mountains National Park. This gem is reached either by flying or walking a looong way. I cheated for this one. There was only enough time for a few quick, safe shots, and off we went again! Thanks to pilot Steve for an incredible morning up high!

Typical interior of the Torngat Mountains National Park. Photo by Paul Zizka Photography.

North Arm from the air, Torngat Mountains National Park. Photo by Paul Zizka Photography.

North Arm from the air, Torngat Mountains National Park. Photo by Paul Zizka Photography.

“Forgotten World” Of all the images I have posted from the Torngat Mountains National Park so far, this aerial view of the Southwest Arm is probably the one that is most representative of what the place is like. Part Norway, part Canadian Rockies, part Nunavut, yet unlike anywhere else I have gone before. Photo by Paul Zizka Photography.

“Fenestra Borealis” The sunset is not over yet but the northern lights are already making themselves visible above the abandoned Hebron mission, near the Torngat Mountains National Park. Those coming with us will have the unique opportunity to photograph this place at night. And they’ll never forget. 🙂 Photo by Paul Zizka Photography.

“Warp Zone” Aurora over the abandoned, twisted Hudson Bay buildings of Hebron. The second I saw images of that remote, nearly deserted Moravian mission (only one family remains), I knew I wanted to photograph it at night. Big thanks to The Torngats Base Camp for getting me out there, and to bear guard Joe for working after hours and wandering around the site with me! Photo by Paul Zizka Photography.

“Framed In Ice”. Last light on the behemoths of the Labrador coast. These towers were approximately 30 metres high. I took a flurry of shots, trying to frame that little island as the light was fading and the boat was bobbing. Thankfully one of the frames worked out! Torngat Mountains, Labrador. Photo by Paul Zizka Photography.

Where the fjords meet. This symmetrical trio marks the entrance of perhaps the two most beautiful fjords in the Torngats, North Arm and SW Arm. Torngat Mountains National Park. Photo by Paul Zizka Photography.

13 Responses to “Journey Through the Torngat Mountains”

OFFBEAT Co-founder, Paul Zizka, recently posted a gallery of images from the Torngat Mountains. We’re thrilled to be taking a crew of enthusiastic photographers to this incredible region of Eastern Canada next year! Bring on the wild landscape and photographic potential.